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April 28, 2006

Brownstoner Roadtrip: Bracci Fences on Utica

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fenceGearing up to start work on our yard, we drove out to Bracci Fence at 1440 Utica Avenue last weekend in the hopes of finding something off-the-rack that would make us happy. The closest thing to what we're envisioning is pictured at right. It was going to be about $1,500 in materials alone so we've decided to look into having someone custom build the fence. Even though we're on a tight budget, we think the fence is not something we should skimp on. If it's done right it'll be there for a long, long time and, though we've got no scientific evidence to this effect, we suspect it will more than pay for itself if and when we ever decide to sell the place. Do others agree with that rationale?




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:53 AM | Comments (15)
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Comments

Good call on the Red Hook post...

Posted by: P at April 28, 2006 11:23 AM

I think it's harder to figure the direct ROI of an aesthetic improvement, as opposed to a new kitchen, etc. It just goes into the whole subjective gestalt of how much a buyer likes the looks. But who cares? The stronger argument is that you have to look at it every day. The effect of coming home to a house you enjoy looking at is priceless.

I'd be interested to know, though, how long the fance can really be expected to last.

Posted by: linusvanpelt at April 28, 2006 11:23 AM

Brownstoner, though you are not obligated, can you explain your decision behind pulling the Red Hook post? Why take the time to post something only to retract it? What persuaded you? Just curious......

Posted by: Anonymous at April 28, 2006 11:40 AM

Already did under in the Daily Links comments

Posted by: Brownstoner at April 28, 2006 11:42 AM

Take it from me...if you're going to put up a fence in your backyard, do it properly right from the start even if it's expensive. As a previous poster said, you're going to live with it every day, and your satisfaction with the fence should be the primary consideration. I wouldn't worry about ROI. A quality fence and installation could last you about 20 years. Do it right, you won't regret it...and DON'T have Bracci do it for you.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 28, 2006 11:53 AM

Thanks!

Posted by: Anonymous at April 28, 2006 12:03 PM

I used similar cedar privacy fence for my backyard, but not from Bracci--I'd have to check my files to find out where I got it.

It came out really nice and I would describe it as semi-custom. We purchased the fence panels, and my carpenter installed it using cedar posts and caps. He staggered the fence height based on the slope of our yard.

I think buying (quality) components can save you significant money if you get someone competent to install it.

Posted by: tinarina at April 28, 2006 12:56 PM

you should call evelyn tully-costa. She's a great garden designer, but she and her crew also do fences, stone walls and paving...
www.evelynproductions.com

Posted by: Anonymous at April 28, 2006 3:43 PM

awful experience with evelyn tully costa....would never recommend her to anyone.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 28, 2006 7:47 PM

Come on Brownstoner...Putting up a fence is the perfect DIY job. All you need is a posthole digger, a laser level, hammer, nails and some cement. You gotta have skills.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 28, 2006 9:09 PM

A word of advice born of experience: make sure to put the fence squarely *inside* the limits of your property. Then even if a crazy person moves in next door, he/she has no basis to argue with you about the size/shape/quality of the fence, because it's yours.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 29, 2006 10:04 AM

We had an OK experience with Bracci. The price for an unpainted picket fence was reasonable. To Bracci's credit, they were the only one of the three fence co's in Brooklyn I contacted that even returned my phone calls. It was hard to find anyone who would put up a wood picket fence - lots of home depot looking stuff, metal, plastic out there, etc....

Posted by: Anonymous at May 1, 2006 8:07 AM

I havent had time to read the whole thread so sorry if this is a repeat.....
I just bought the most beautiful cedar fence 14 6x8 panels of stockade style pickets with 10 foot cedar posts, nice carved tops on the posts, from US Fence Systems on 3rd Ave in Gowanus. $1300, way cheaper than anywhere else, free delivery, great service. Al, the owner, has gone to amazing lengths to help us out even though he is more often a wholesaler than a retailer. For example, we were two posts short (ahem, a slight miscalculation) Al GAVE us two replacement cedar posts for free because with too few we were unable to finish our fence in the prescribed weekend. Admittedly he calculated th enumber of posts in the first place, but he certainly made up for thatsmall error, when relly he didnt have to. We had our local handyman and his crew install it for a few hundred extra and it looks perfect, solid, straight and true. I just talked to Al to tell him about this thread and he tells me he sells to Bracci, so it makes sense that US Fence would be cheaper.happy fencing everybody

Posted by: james Doran at May 1, 2006 10:54 AM

We have a similar fence on one side of our yard (installed by next-door neighbor) and it looks and holds up much better than the standard, tall picket fencing on our other two sides.
Ideally, once the fence is faded to a nice grey, you won't really notice it that much - and more likely a buyer would notice fencing that needed fixing/replacing. I think the backyard element where you really do get a high resale value is in the plantings. A well-tended garden has an immediate emotional impact and can sell a place almost as well as a nice kitche, and for much less $ paid out, IMO.

Posted by: petunia at May 1, 2006 3:39 PM

er, make that "kitchen".

Posted by: petunia at May 1, 2006 3:42 PM

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